Festival Calendar

The Kachin or Jingphaw as they are known in their
own languages is one of the largest ethnic races of Myanmar living
in the northern most region of the country; belong to Tibeto-Burman
tribe. There are different Kachin tribes like Kharku, Thaisan,
Lacheik, Rawang, Thaikhamt and Lisu. Frankness, friendliness,
hospitality and generosity are some of the lovely characteristics of
the Jingphaw.

Manaw is the most remarkable event as well as unique
holy tradition in Kachin State. The Jingphaw are now either Buddhist
or Christian and the animist ceremonies of their ancestors are now
celebrated as part o upholding their cultural heritage. They are a
people proud of their traditions, with a richness of culture that
befits the grandest celebrations. Manaw festival to celebrate the
New Year is held in Myitkyina on or around 10thJanuary every year
and it is not only a New Year ceremony but also a reunion
celebration and also a festival to celebrate a victory or
achievement. Moreover, it is a show of gratitude to ancestral
spirits. On this occasion, all participants pray for a bright
future.

At one festival, tens of thousands of people from
all villages in the region will be present in all their tribal
finery. Dancing with the rhythmic beat of the ceremonial gong,
moving anti-clockwise in a big circle to the beat of the gong where
everybody can join behind them, waving ceremonial swords by men and
handkerchief by women, your transient experience with Manaw will
surely remain with you forever.

Ananda Pagoda festival in Bagan takes place a few
days before the full moon day of Pyatho, which falls on
December/January. Pagoda festivals give farmers the chance not only
to worship at a famous pagoda but also make a little extra cash
selling handicrafts.

Entire villages near and far arrive in caravans of
bullock carts and camp around the temple. People bring bedding,
cooking pots, dry rations and even their faces. Pottery rafts come
down stream from the famous pottery town of Kyaukmyaung, some
kilometers upriver from Mandalay during the Ananda Festival. The
riverside at is lined with rafts and boats bringing these jars and
smaller unglazed pottery. They are piled high on the sandy banks,
while near the temple they squat in row upon glistening row, like
fat beetles in the sun..

At dawn on the day of the full moon, alms bowls
filled with rice are offered to monks who all wait in a long line
and special offerings at the Buddha with rice, fruit, cakes, flower,
candles and scent sticks.

At all Pagoda festivals in Myanmar, local people
have a great chance to watch the performing arts of Zat Pwe
(traditional dance and drama) and movies in open theatre for dusk to
dawn every night throughout the festival days.

The Naga are a tribe living in the mountains,
valleys and plains of one of the most remote places on earth. Naga
hill lies in the northwest corner of Myanmar, close to the Indian
border. The snow-capped Mt.Saramati on Naga hill is 3828m high.
Khamti is the most famous town of Naga land. The traditional customs
and religious beliefs of the Naga tribes have not died out till
today.

The main Naga tribes have different costumes with
fantastic headdresses of colorful plumes, beads, bone, horn and
tusks as priceless items, which they treasure above gold. Their
robes are closely woven from thick cotton or wool, dyed in bright
colors and embroidered with cowry shells. Each pattern has a story
that the weaver wanted to record. They wear everything in every
color. The females wear tattoos on their foreheads and chins. In
addition, there are some small differences in customs, but they are
still of one main race. There are 49 sub-tribes differentiated by
their spoken languages. They are a proud people living in an
isolated land, preferring to be left alone in their own region. They
live as strictly according to old customs as their ancestors did.

Insignias of leaders are apparent: bands of woven
armlets made of cane or special spear and extra necklaces. Their
finery is not merely for decorative purposes as each piece has its
own meaning, each piece marks an event or status of their people.

Rice wine is always ready in pots at homes. Shared
with others, it is a drink of friendship, of sealing goodwill
between friends and strangers. Naga's biggest festival is New Year
festival, which annually celebrated on 14~15 January, called Kaing
Bi. There is a great feasting and joy and tribes gather to join the
revelries. On this occasion, endless cups of rice wine are drunk,
bison and wild boar meat roasted and eaten, tribal dances performed
with loud beating of drums. Visitors are welcomed, for they are
curious about strangers although they prefer to stay home. The
visitors on their part have a chance to see events and people living
in old ways. If strangers join in their celebrations, they are
welcomed; it is good to share the happiness.

If your travel date falls on January and looking for
something different, please contact to our office to adjust the date
and to be integrated into your tour program.

Falls on the full moon day of Thabodwe. This
festival usually lasts for 2 days. Glutinous rice (which is a
delicacy) contests are also held on the pagoda's platform. A variety
of incense sticks are burnt for the Myanmar Buddha image on the full
moon day. During this festival thousands of people from all over the
country make the pilgrimage to the Mahamuni Pagoda. The temple is
always the center of activities and during this festival it explodes
with energy.

The festival of the Shwedagon Pagoda is celebrated
on the fullmoon day of Tabaung (March) every year. This is the eand
mark of Myanmar, vistible from all directions. It situates on the
hill of seinguttra and therefore it lore the original name of
Seinguttra Ceti.
It was built by King Utkalapa enshrinijg the sacred hair relies of
the sord Buddha in this life time, brought by the two young trader
brothers Tapuss a and Balirea who went to Buddha gaya to trade and
came to see the sord Buddha in his early days of Enlightenment.
The original stupa was only 66 feet, and now becomes 326 feet after
many renovations by successive ruears of Myanmar. The Shwedagon is
now the second tallest religious structure in the country whereas
the first tallest one in the Shwemawdaw pagoda in Bago having the
height of 373 feet. It is the most beautiful and magnificent
structure in the world. It is a touring spire of Shimmering gold.
It is the world's richest pagoda, with its geittering crown embeded
with inestimable treasure of precious gems and weight of gold beyond
enumeration. The whole stupa is not gieted but covered with gold
peatesall over. It is one of the madern wonders of the world.
Many people in the country contributes funds for tue reparing wover
and a great number of people pay homage every day. There are many
festivals throughout the year. The pouring water to the sacred
Bo-tree, the overnight weaving contest for the yellow robes, the
donation of goldleaves in a buck and many others are unnoticed
festivals in each occasion.
The greatest festival is that of Tabung festival. The renovation
works were greatly done and the escalator on the western stairway
and the elevators in all others are beautifully firced and the
elevators in all others are beautifully firced and the spires are
rebuilt. Even the camopy is removated with modern techniques.

Annually in March, on the full moon day of Tabaung
(March) which is the last month of the Myanmar lunar calendar, Kakku
Pagoda festival takes place. Normally the festival will begin two or
three days in advance for this is not just a religious festival but
also a social occasion. It is the time for all to have fun, exchange
news and gossips, to trade. For the younger set it is the time to
meet their friends from other villages or the boys to fall in love
with the girls.
As it is, all the people of the region arrive by the thousands,
dressed in their traditional costumes. Some come in bullock carts
while others arrive by more modern conveyances, on the village
tractor. But the most interesting time to visit this place is to get
there before dawn of the full moon day of Tabaung where the Pa O
people in all their finery come with gaily decorated trays bearing
morning food offerings.

Pindaya Shwe Oo Min cave Pagoda festival is held on
and around Full moon day of Tabaung as well. It starts seven days
before the full moon day. During the festival time, thousands of
devotees come from villages around the area to the cave. A kind of
pagoda mall is set up at the foot of the hill under big shady Banyan
trees to sell local products.

Popa Nat (Spirit) festival is held on full moon day
of Tagu, the first month in Myanmar calendar during summer (April).
Large numbers of worshippers, who believe in spirits pay respect to
the Nats at their shrines on the top of Mt.Popa. Visitors will have
a chance to witness the Nat (Spirit) dances, which are very crowded
with the audience. In addition to this main festival, there are also
festivals held on full moon day of Warkhaung, the fifth month of
Myanmar calendar (July-August) and full moon day of Nadaw, the ninth
month in Myanmar calendar (November~December).

Thingyan, the water festival is the unique and
colorful with the merriest occasion in Myanmar. During Thingyan
days, the people throw water each other since the Myanmar people
believe that Thingyan water has the power to cleanse the evil and
sins of the old year. Thingyan falls on the last four days before
Myanmar New Year day, which is in the second week of April roughly
on the twelfth or thirteenth, according to the Gregorian calendar.

Almost the whole population is in the most
joyous mood; roam around the city in cars or on foot to throwing
and splashing water each other. Elaborately decorated pavilions
and pandals called Mandats are built beside of almost every
street in front of government offices and private business
establishments. The young women gather dressed in their best. It
is the time when Thingyan sprit is in the air and Thingyan fever
grips the heart. To every people, no matter what religious
belief, Thingyan brings joy, happiness, relief and hope. For the
young and the young-at-heart, it is the merriest time of the
year when they literally let themselves go splashing and pouring
water on friends and strangers, wait to throw water with water
pipes. Special Thingyan songs play all the time. Some pavilions
have raised platform for traditional dance performance..

While Thingyan is a time for fun, it is also a
time for religious reflection. People go to Pagodas and
Monasteries to do merit and offer food to monks, pay homage to
elders and bathe Buddha images. Snacks and refreshments are
prepared and served to everyone.

Full Moon Day of Kason (or) Bo Tree Watering Festival (Countrywide)

The month Kason usually falls on May of the English
calendar. The month of excessive great. It is the season water in
all ponds, lakes and creeks reduces to its lowest level. During the
month of Kason the length of the day is longer and the night is
shorter. People of Myanmar regard the month of Kason as Taurus)
season and the sign of the podiac is a ball. The seasonal flower is
Sagar and this festival is water pouring ceremony at the maha-Bodhi
tree, the holy Banyan tree at the foot of which the Buddha attained
Buddhahood or enlightenment. As the month of kason is at the middle
of the hot reason, the earth is dry and people pour water at the
Maha-Bodhi tree to make sure it does not die of drought during the
hot summer. This has become an integral part of Myanmar culture and
on every full-moon day of kason, the Buddhist people would march in
a grand procession to the Bodhi tree or to the pagodas to pour
scented water.
The full-moon day of kason is significant for other seasons too. It
is the day on which Gotama Buddha was born, attained enlightenment,
passed away, and as a recluse in is this previous existence, blessed
by the prophecy of Depankara Buddha that he (sumedha) would also
become a Buddha one day in the very remote future. It also is the
day on which the original Bodhi tree arose from out of the earth as
an assurance of the coming of the Gotoma Buddha.

Majority of Myanmar people are Buddhists. However,
some of them have any other traits of believe such as worshipping
some deities for devotion or for consolation. Most of the people
generally consider that is not a peculiar thing to revere a Nat
(Spirit).

About 20km north of Mandalay lays a small village
called Taung Pyone, resting quietly among the green fields. This
place becomes the focus of the Taung Pyone Spirit Festival held
every year in the Myanmar month of Wagaung (August) to honor the
Nats at that place. This area had been awarded to the Nats as a
special province of their own by Myanmar Kings since Bagan dynasty
in 11 century. According to tradition, Nats are spirits that must be
appeased or they will wreak havoc in peoples' lives. The
homage-paying festival is now held annually to appease the spirits
as it is believed that the Nat Brothers can fulfill one's wishes,
protect one from ill fate and danger, and bring good luck,
prosperity and progress. It is one of much glories and distinguish
spirit festival occurs annually on August.

Nowadays, Taung Pyone is the most famous one among
the Nat festivals countryside. All the Nat medians and those who
believe and worship Nat gather at that village. Thousands of people
are attending at the hundreds of Nat Pavilions to discuss the median
for their future plans and prosperities. Series of 37 Nat statutes
on the stands are offered food and flowers, cash, alcohol and the
medians amuse Nat with dance and the traditional Nat music day and
night. As Nat song and music is very fantastic, whoever heard this
song want to participate in their dance. Thousands of people are
coming in and out every-day until the end of the festival.

The Taung Pyone Nat Festival is a place of must for
those who want to observe the spirit-worship in Myanmar and it is a
sort of merry making trip.

Manuha Pagoda Festival is held annually one day
before the Full Moon Day of Tawtalin. Depending on the Lunar
Calendar, the festival is held in end of September or start of
October. Manuha Pagoda Festival is celebrated for three consecutive
days.
During the festival, rice cakes and pickled winter melon are served
to all comers from near and far. The Myinkaba region dwellers donate
these to all visitors. This is apart of the traditional practice of
this festival. This tradition is also believed to have been
descended from the time of the King Manuha. Monks from many
monasteries around the region are invited to the Manuha Pagoda and
are offered rice on the morning of the Full Moon Day of Tawtalin.

The greatest event of the Phaung Daw Oo Buddha
images is held on a grand scale in the month of October (sometimes
in September). It is the time of transition from the rainy to the
cold season. The monsoon is gone and the whole country everywhere
looks pleasant. It can be regarded as pagoda festival season as
famous pagoda festivals are held and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda festival
is the most colorful and spectacular festival in Myanmar. It is the
biggest occasion at the Inle Lake because it is not only held at the
place where the pagoda is situated.

Four Buddha images out of five from Phaung Daw Oo
pagoda are taken on a gilded Karaweik royal barge and conveyed
around 14 villages on the lake during 18 festival days. The barge is
towed by decorated canoes paddled by leg- rowers an d hundreds of
boats follow the occasion. The pagoda festival is held in every
village, where the barge makes stopover. People pay homage and offer
flowers, alms, water and a variety of fruits to the Buddha images.
The most interesting event of the festival, especially for
foreigners is their boat race due to their unique leg rowing. Boat
races are held during the festival and on the last day. Usually a
race is taken place with three long boats, containing one hundred
people each, standing upright and rowing with their legs in the
traditional Inle style. It is the one and only place in the world
where one can see such marvelous act.

Even when it is not festival time, it is very
interesting to observe the Intha's lifestyle on the lake, floating
farms and the most famous floating market which being held at Ywama
village every five days.

This festival is celebrated on the full moon day of
Thadingyut (October) and a yearly cultural highlight of Kyaukse, 26
miles south of Mandalay. The life-size elephants are made of bamboo
frames and paper. Two men get inside of the hollow elephant and
dance like lively elephants, followed by some traditional musical
troupes is very exiting and amusing. The whole inhabitants compete,
not only for the best elephant dance performance, but also for the
most beautifully decorated elephant. The festival is crowded with
people from surrounding villages of Kyaukse and also from Mandalay.
Visitors will have an opportunity to witness the Myanmar Art of
Paper Mache Toy.

Thadingyut is a seven-month of Burmese calendar and
the end of lent. Three days of lights festival, namely the day
before full moon, the full moon day and the days after.
Illuminations are there to celebrate the anniversary of Buddha's
return from the celestial abode where He had spent the lent teaching
the celestials about His Law. Among the gods was the one who was the
mother of Buddha, reborn there. It was on the full moon day of
Thadingyut month that Buddha descended to the abode of humans. He
and His disciples were attended by a heavenly host of celestials who
created a pathway of star ladder. Buddhist on earth illuminated the
homes and streets to welcome Buddha and His disciples.

The famous legendary Pagoda on the Golden Rock about
160 Km from Yangon and 11 km of hiking from the base camp at
Kyaikhto. Visitors can also go by car up to a point about a mile
away from the Pagoda. This pagoda is situated on a rocky mountain
3615 ft above sea level. The Kyaikhtiyo pagoda is one of the most
ancient and celebrated of all pagodas in Myanmar. It is situated in
the vicinity of Kyaikhto township, Thaton district. The pagoda is
said to have been built during the life-time of the Buddha over 2400
years ago.

Mathoe robes weaving ceremonies are held at various
prominent pagodas in big cities like Yangon and Mandalay. Mathoe
robes weaving contests on the Massive Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon are
the most significant in Myanmar.

Mathoe robe means the weaving of the robe must be
completed within same night and must be offered to the Buddha before
dawn. Preparation for Mathoe Robes weaving contests is taken place
on the platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda in the evening of the eve of
the full moon day of Tazaungmone. Nine teams of 60 Religious
Associations of the Shwedagon Pagoda take part in the contests. The
weavers are from various parts of the country. The weaving women are
kept ready for weaving prior to the contest. The Mathoe Robes
weaving contests open at 5pm. A contesting team has six members
including the team leader. Weavers are selected based on stamina,
energy and thoroughness and the other members stand by for
assistance. Visitors can witness the communal work in this contest
and contestants make great endeavor in weaving the robes.
Enthusiasts encouraging the contestants include foreign tourists as
well.

After the contest, gluing, sewing, pattering with
golden papers and gluing golden lilies respectively are prepared in
Mathoe robes. At the dawn of full moon day of Tazaungmone,
prize-winning team lead a procession of offering the Mathoe Robes to
four Buddha Images at four archways of the Shwedagon Pagoda and
other prominent pagodas.

November is the best time to travel as there is no
more rain and the environs are still green, no muddy and not yet
dusty everywhere in the region. At that time of the year, the Hot
Air Balloon Festival is usually celebrated on a grandeur scale. The
festival has now become a proud tradition of the Shan people and is
a major tourist attraction.
In Taunggyi, the capital of the Southern Shan State, the festival is
celebrated annually on a grand scale for 6 days. Lu Ping festival
commonly known as hot balloon festival is said to have seen the
origin of Pa-O minority, one of the many ethnic groups in the
region. There, the word Lu Ping generally means eliminating all evil
by giving alms and offertories to Buddhist monks. On the occasion,
people also enjoy fun and merriment by holding firework and hot air
balloon launching competitions, competing over their beauty, lasting
hours in the air and attitude they can gain. Day balloons are
usually in the form of Pagodas and animals such as elephant, dragon
or duck while the night balloon are usually in the shape of rugby
ball, huge elongated paper balls with small-lighted multicolored
paper lanterns hung around their sides. Every balloon is hand-made
using bamboo frames and locally produced paper, made from the
mulberry plant.
Night balloon are larger and more elaborate, equipped with
firecrackers and fireworks. The pyrotechnic display starts at a
pre-determined height. All the fireworks are traditionally made,
using gunpowder, charcoal and a little bit of magnesium.
On this great occasion, over 350 balloons are released throughout
the festival every year. It is a great opportunity to observe this
marvelous festival held once a year in Myanmar.
(The exact dates of festival vary from year to year according to the
Myanmar lunar calendar).

Kahtein Festival is held annually, after the
duration between the Full Moon Day of Thadingyut and the Full Moon
Day of Tazaungmone. The Kahtein robe offering and donation of
Kahtein tree or the Padaytharpin are also another famous act in
Myanmar.

Tazaungmone in Myanmar Calendar is the month of
November. It is among the 12 months when the rainy season ends and
winter comes in. At that time, in Myanmar, the seasonal Khawei
flowers are in full bloom. On the night of full moon day of
Tazaungmone, 9,999 candles were lighted and offered to Koehtatkyi
Pagoda in SanChaung Township, Yangon Division.
On the auspicious night, the word ‘Atula Dipati Mahamuni Thetkya
Koehtetgyi Badhha’ if add, you will get the number 9 which we called
Koenawin and the omen which means free of enemies and diseases,
exactly, we started to light of 9,999 candles and offered them to
Buddha. 9, 999 candles were lit around the pagoda in groups and to
get the best place, they have to draw lots.
At designated place the groups started to prepare for the festivity
at 2 in the afternoon. At four the music artistes played the
traditional harp and offer music to the Buddha. In the evening at
about 5:22 p.m., the grand ceremony commenced. All those present
first take the five precepts and say the prayers for offering the
lights unanimously and unison.
At 6:09 exactly, the Master of Ceremonies gave 11 minutes for people
to take up position. Before long, the sound of Aka Ratu came out.
All electric bulbs were then put out on the pagoda and people
started to pray and recite partitas.At the auspicious hour, the
conch shell was blown and later the playing of the brass gongs and
bells could be heard simultaneously.
Together with these auspicious sounds fire works came out from the
either side of the throne of the pagoda and at the same time the
lights of the candle came out as if a lighted blanket was removed,
it was a breath-taking site and all those present lit candles and
offered it to the great Buddha image. Fire crackers are known as Ta
Zaung in olden days. And since it is placed atop the pole and
lighted we called it Tazaung Daing. During the Tazaungdaing
festivals of spirits is also held.
On the full moon day of Tazaungmone, all the stars completely shown
out and at midnight on that day, people usually eat vegetable curry
and it is believed the bitter Maezali bud salad, you will be free
from all diseases.Streaming from that belief, people usually prepare
Maezali bud salads and share it with friends. This is one of the
treasured habits of Myanmar.
To prepare Mezali salad, first you will have to choose tender buds
about 9 baskets, clean and rinse it and then boil it until it
becomes soft and tender. Then you will have to pound it until it
becomes pasty. Then you mix the paste with groundnut oil, pounded
ground nut, fried onions, beans, fried Dahl, sesame , cabbage, green
chili and salt to taste. It is a vegetarian dish which Myanmars
adore.
By watching the 9,999 candles lighting festival at Koehtatkyi Pagoda
and by enjoying the Maezali salad, we all hope you will share our
fine tradition and culture which we, Myanmar preserve and adore to
date. May you all share our merits of good deeds.

Kayin New Year
Festival / 28th December - 03rd January

Kayin New Year day is a National Public Holiday in
Myanmar. Traditional Kayin costume was worn by most of the
celebrants at the events. Many young and old Kayins wear their
traditional colourful dresses and go around the city, visit
relatives and enjoy the festival. In Hpa An, the capital city of
Kayin State, dance competitions are held every year.